Vico Magistretti, Carimate chairs for Cassina

VICO MAGISTRETTI (1920-2006) for Cassina.
Set of four "Carimate" armchairs, 1960s.
Braided rope seats. White lacquered structures.
Measurements: 74 x 58 x 53 cm.

Iconic set of four Carimate armchairs, designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in the 1960s. One of the most recognizable pieces of post-war Italian design, where material tradition and formal modernity are integrated with absolute naturalness. This series stands out especially for its unusual upholstery, a less common variant that adds uniqueness to the set and reinforces its collector interest. The white lacquered structures contrast elegantly with the braided rope seats, creating a visual balance between lightness, texture and geometry. The Carimate model perfectly synthesizes Magistretti's approach to design: essential forms, refined functionality and a warm sensibility deeply connected to everyday life.

Vico Magistretti was an Italian industrial designer, known as a furniture designer and architect. He studied at the Milan Polytechnic, graduating in 1945, and was a follower of Ernesto Nathan Rogers. During the fifties he moved into the industrial design of furniture and lighting pieces, and some of his works are kept in the most important museums in Europe, the United States and Japan, with special mention of his presence in the permanent exhibition at the MoMA in New York. Throughout his career Magistretti received numerous awards, including the gold medal at the Milan Triennale in 1951 and the Grand Prix at the 1954 Triennale, the Compasso d'Oro award in 1967 and again in 1979, and the gold medal of the Chartered Society of Industrial Artists & Designer in 1986. The "Atollo" chandelier, made of blown opaline Murano glass, was designed by Magistratti for the Italian manufacturer Oluce. Recognized as an international classic, it has been much imitated and admired, winning several awards and being one of the most famous pieces of its author's production.